Learn about how First 5 Contra Costa partners with organizations in East County to reform the systems and services available to African American and Black families to improve wellness and help address inequities that contribute to school readiness disparities.
The Ready Kids East County (RKEC) effort, a strategic public-private partnership that leverages funding from California’s Proposition 10 alongside philanthropic contributions, including from the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, launched in 2019 and ushered in creative programming, resources, and services available to Black families in East County.
This combined support enables First 5 Contra Costa to invest in and coordinate impactful programs and services that address disparities and promote equity for Black and African American families in East Contra Costa County.
Celebrating Connection and Collaboration at the Ready Kids East County Big Table Event
In October, more than 65 individuals participated in an incredible evening of community, and collaboration focused on enhancing services for Black and African American families. At the event, families, partners, and community leaders come together for meaningful conversation about culturally affirming practices, effective outreach methods and ways to tailor services to African American families. A special thank you to our guest speaker, Nisaa Kirtman, Ph.D., for her inspiring presentation, Centering Black Families: Building Pathways to Access and Connection. Your insights provided actionable strategies and thoughtful guidance for creating equitable and culturally-centered family engagement.
Promoting Equity from Womb to Classroom
In 2025, we launched our next phase called “Womb to Classroom,” which seeks to support Black and African American families from pregnancy to school by connecting service providers to create “villages” that center Black families, and build stronger bridges over adversity “cliffs” such as the transition from early learning to a school district for Kindergarten. RKEC will support families by uplifting opportunities, creating networks, and cultivating pathways with cross-sector partnerships with the focus on building capacity for providers and families with Black and African American children, ages zero to five years old.
Thank you for an incredible 2nd Annual Resource Fair
Thank you for being part of the 2nd Annual Ready Kids East County Resource Fair on April 11, 2026—and if we missed you, we’re glad you were there with us in spirit. The energy and sense of community throughout the day was truly something special, and we’re still feeling inspired. On an overcast (and slightly wet) day, the warmth, connection, and joy shared by families made the event shine. Your presence, whether in person or in support, brings this work to life.
Don’t forget to check out our East County Resource Directory to continue connecting with the same partners and organizations from the Resource Fair to help you stay connected as your children grow—from womb to classroom.
We’ll also be sharing a gallery of photos from the Resource Fair in the near future so you can relive some of the moments from the day.
Here is a video from our 2025 Resource Fair
Ready Kids East County is made possible by generous funding from the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation
The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation recently celebrated 30 years of being Rooted in Community to advance its mission by believing in the safety, security, and potential of every child, significantly investing in educational opportunities for those underserved, and offering the community the enrichments of the arts—see the celebration video below which includes ourReady Kids East County work.
